After one win at sectional, Irvine Ranch falls to HV, 2-0

Tony Martinez of Huntington Valley delivers a pitch to Garrett Davidson of Irvine Ranch Little League Sunday.

After winning its opener on Saturday, Irvine Ranch Little League couldn’t get past Huntington Valley, which remained undefeated in the Section 10 tournament with a 2-0 victory at Woodfield Park in Aliso Niguel.

Huntington Valley moves on to Tuesday’s 6:30 p.m. game against the winner of Monday’s Irvine Ranch-Santa Margarita game. Monday’s game will be at 6:30 p.m. and the loser of that game is eliminated from the four-team tournament.

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Irvine Ranch Little League will need to bounce back with three straight wins to advance into the Southern California Championships. The double-elimination sectional tournament wraps up either Tuesday or Wednesday with games at 6:30 p.m.

Huntington Valley pitchers, including starter Tony Martinez, who pitched into the fifth inning, limited Irvine to two hits.

Irvine Ranch was unable to capitalize on seven walks and stranded seven runners in the six-inning game.

“We just couldn’t quite get that third hit,” said Acting Irvine Ranch Manager Mike Amundson.

Amundson was filling in for Manager Doug Euper, who was prohibited from managing in the sectional because of a rule violation in the district tournament, according to District 55 officials.

“That’s a good team,” Amundson said. “The kid they had on the mound, Martinez did a great job of executing and making his pitches when he needed.”

Irvine Ranch Little League pitchers Garrett Davidson, Brody Connors and Sam Tucci also pitched well.

“I thought we did a good job of executing the pitches we needed to; we just had a tough time getting that third hit,” Amundson said.

In the bottom of the sixth, Wylan Moss of Irvine Ranch singled and was sacrificed to second by Isaac Carpenter. Moss went to third on a wild pitch but relievers Ian Cadacio and Wyatt Thomas were able to work out of the jam.

“It was a tough game, I think they’re a very good team, we’re a good team. Pitching certainly dominated today,” said Huntington Valley Manager Tony Armand.

“Our starter Tony Martinez walked a few more guys than he normally does but he got us deep enough in the game and he dominated. He struck out 10 or 11 (11). After that, I was super proud of the relief guys who came in and shut it down for us.”

Huntington Valley scored both runs in the second inning on RBI singles by Gage Everson and Martinez.

Irvine Ranch Little League had runners on first and second in the first inning but came away empty handed.

Huntington Valley opened the tournament defeating West Anaheim, 16-0. Huntington Valley is the only undefeated team while Irvine Ranch and Rancho Santa Margarita have one loss each.

IRVINE RANCH WON SATURDAY, 7-5

In Saturday’s game, Irvine Ranch powered its way past Rancho Santa Margarita, 7-5.

Tucci, the right fielder, led the way with two home runs.

“That was pretty stellar,” said Amundson.

Tucci had a three run home run in the second inning to give Irvine a 3-2 lead. He also had a solo home run in the sixth inning and his teammate Kyle Brody followed with a home run. Garrett Davidson followed with an RBI single to make it 7-3.

But in the bottom of the sixth and final inning, Santa Margarita scored two runs and had the bases loaded But Brody got the last hitter to ground out to end the game.

“It was a great team victory, all 14 kids chipped in today to get this one done,” Amundson said. “Timely hitting, timely pitching. I was just really proud of the boys battling their way through it.”

Amundson, Connors, Tucci, Davidson and Brody all pitched for Irvine kept its pitchers to around 20 pitches for Sunday’s game.

Connors also contributed at the plate, going 3 for 4 with two RBI.